Ergonomically correct underwear

ABSTRACT

A garment that includes a waistband, a first strap, and a second strap. The waistband has a front portion opposite a back portion. Each of the first and second straps extends from the front portion to the back portion. The first strap is configured to cross the second strap at a crossover location alongside a selected anatomical region. The first and second straps are configured to apply pressure to the selected anatomical region.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed generally to articles of manufactureconfigured to provide support to a woman's pelvic floor.

Description of the Related Art

Referring to FIG. 1, anatomically, a “pelvic floor” area or pelvic floorhammock 10 extends from the pubic bone 12 to the tailbone 14. The pelvicfloor hammock 10 inserts into the pubic bone 12 in the front, thetailbone 14 in the back, and sidewalls 16 and 18 of the pelvis 20 alongboth the left and right sides. A perineal body 30 is positioned at thecenter of the pelvic floor hammock 10 and supports the pelvic floorhammock 10. The perineal body 30 is positioned at the intersection of amuscle group called the urogenital diaphragm 32 and perianal musclegroups 34. Together these muscle groups define an X-shaped structure 36with the perineal body 30 (or the perineum) being positioned at thecenter (or crossover point) of the X-shaped structure 36. As shown inFIG. 1, a vagina 40 and an anus 42 both pass through the pelvic floorhammock 10.

When a woman gives birth, the entire pelvic floor hammock 10 isstretched and the tone of her pelvic floor weakens, which may lessenelasticity and/or rebound. After just one vaginal birth, the restingposition of the pelvic floor hammock 10 is lower. In other words, thecenter of the pelvic floor hammock 10 (or the perineal body 30) hangslower, like a hammock that is sagging at its center nearer to theground. The degree of elasticity and/or rebound may lessen more witheach successive vaginal birth. Elasticity and/or rebound may also lessenwith age and/or following menopause when estrogen is no longer produced.Estrogen is a key factor in the tone of the pelvic floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a woman's pelvic floor hammock.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a garment configured to providesupport to at least a portion of the pelvic floor hammock worn by awoman.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the garment ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded front perspective view of an innersupport structure of the garment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the garment of FIG. 2 omitting anoptional gel insert.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the garment of FIG. 2 including theoptional gel insert.

Like reference numerals have been used in the figures to identify likecomponents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a garment 100 configured to be worn by awoman 102. The garment 100 is configured to be worn on the lower half ofthe woman's body with the woman's legs 104L and 104R passing through thegarment 100. The garment 100 may be configured to be ergonomicallycorrect. The garment 100 includes a fabric layer 110, a waistband 112,and an inner support structure 114.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the embodiment illustrated, the fabric layer 110(see FIG. 2) includes a front panel 120, a back panel 122, an outerintermediate panel 124, and an internal intermediate panel 126.Together, the panels 120-126 define a pair of woman's underwear. Whilein the embodiment illustrated, the garment 100 has been implemented as apair of underwear, the garment 100 may alternatively be implemented as apair of pants, a pair of leggings, a pair of tights, a girdle, supportwear, a control garment, workout wear, lycra or spandex shorts, yogawear, and the like.

The internal intermediate panel 126 is sewn to the outer intermediatepanel 124 along its edges 130 and 132 but is free along its front andback edges 134 and 136. Thus, an open-ended through-channel 140 (seeFIGS. 5 and 6) is defined between the outer and internal intermediatepanels 124 and 126. Referring to FIG. 2, when the garment 100 is worn bythe woman 102, the through-channel 140 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is positionedbetween her legs 104L and 104R.

Referring to FIG. 3, the waistband 112 may be sewn inside the fabriclayer 110 (see FIG. 2). In the embodiment illustrated, the waistband 112has a front portion 150 sewn to the front panel 120 and a back portion152 sewn to the back panel 122. The waistband 112 has an outwardlyfacing surface 154 opposite an inwardly facing surface 156. At least oneof the surfaces 154 and 156 may include two or more fasteners 160 (e.g.,buttons 160A-160D, snaps, Velcro, and the like). In the embodimentillustrated, the fasteners 160 have been illustrated as being attachedto only the front portion 150 of the waistband 112. However, inalternate embodiments, the fasteners 160 may be attached to the backportion 152 of the waistband 112 in addition to or instead of the frontportion 150 of the waistband 112.

The inner support structure 114 may be characterized as being a pelvicfloor supportive inlay. Referring to FIG. 3, the inner support structure114 includes a pair of straps 170 and 172 and an optional gel insert174.

The straps 170 and 172 may be sewn, embedded, tacked, or otherwisedisposed inside the fabric layer 110 (see FIG. 2). Each of the straps170 and 172 has a first end portion 176 opposite a second end portion178. In the embodiment illustrated, the first end portions 176 of thestraps 170 and 172 are attached to the front portion 150 of thewaistband 112 and the second end portions 178 of the straps 170 and 172are attached to the back portion 152 of the waistband 112.

By way of a non-limiting example, the first end portions 176 of thestraps 170 and 172 may be sewn to the front portion 150 of the waistband112. Alternatively, the first end portions 176 of the straps 170 and 172may be attached to the front portion 150 of the waistband 112 by thefasteners 160. Referring to FIG. 4, the first end portions 176 of eachof the straps 170 and 172 may include one or more fasteners 180 (e.g.,buttonholes, snaps, Velcro, and the like) each configured to mate withone of the fasteners 160 (e.g., one of the buttons 160A-160D). In theembodiment illustrated, the fastener(s) 180 have been implemented as aseries of linearly arranged and spaced apart buttonholes 180A-180E.

By way of a non-limiting example, referring to FIG. 3, the second endportions 178 of the straps 170 and 172 may be sewn to the back portion152 of the waistband 112. Alternatively, the second end portions 178 ofthe straps 170 and 172 may be attached to the back portion 152 of thewaistband 112 by the fasteners 160. In such embodiments, the second endportions 178 of each of the straps 170 and 172 may include one or morefasteners (e.g., like the fasteners 180) each configured to mate withone of the fasteners 160 (e.g., one of the buttons 160A-160D).

The straps 170 and 172 each extend from the front portion 150 of thewaistband 112 to the back portion 152 of the waistband 112 and passthrough the through-channel 140 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Referring to FIG.5, in the embodiment illustrated, the strap 172 crosses over the strap170 inside the through-channel 140. However, in alternate embodiments,the strap 170 may cross over the strap 172 inside the through-channel140.

At or near a crossover location 192 where one of the straps 170 and 172crosses over the other, the straps 170 and 172 apply force or pressureagainst the internal intermediate panel 126, which is positioneddirectly adjacent to a selected anatomical region 190. The internalintermediate panel 126 translates this pressure to the selectedanatomical region 190. Referring to FIG. 1, the selected anatomicalregion 190 may include a portion (e.g., a center) of the pelvic floorhammock 10, the perineal body 30, the vagina 40, the anus 42, and thelike.

As mentioned above, referring to FIG. 4, the fastener(s) 180 connectedto each of the straps 170 and 172 may be implemented as the buttonholes180A-180E. Referring to FIG. 3, one of the buttonholes 180A-180E (seeFIG. 4) of the strap 170 may be selected and attached to one of thebuttons 160C and 160D to determine a length of a portion 194 (see FIG.2) of the strap 170 extending between the front and back portions 150and 152 of the waistband 112. The length of the portion 194 (see FIG. 2)may be adjusted or changed by attaching a different one of thebuttonholes 180A-180E (see FIG. 4) of the strap 170 to the one of thebuttons 160C and 160D. Which of the buttons 160C and 160D to use may beselected based upon the comfort and/or preference of the woman 102 (seeFIG. 2).

Similarly, one of the buttonholes 180A-180E (see FIG. 4) of the strap172 may be selected and attached to one of the buttons 160A and 160B todetermine a length of a portion 196 (see FIG. 2) of the strap 172extending between the front and back portions 150 and 152 of thewaistband 112. The length of the portion 196 (see FIG. 2) may beadjusted or changed by attaching a different one of the buttonholes180A-180E of the strap 172 to the one of the buttons 160A and 160B.Which of the buttons 160A and 160B to use may be selected based upon thecomfort and/or preference of the woman 102 (see FIG. 2).

The length of each of the portions 194 and 196 (see FIG. 2) helpsdetermine an amount of pressure applied by the straps 170 and 172 to theselected anatomical region 190 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). For example, thelength of each of the portions 194 and 196 (see FIG. 2) may beconfigured to anchor and lift the pelvic floor hammock 10 (see FIG. 1).By way of a non-limiting example, the straps 170 and 172 may each beconstructed from an elastic material.

Referring to FIG. 6, the optional gel insert 174 may be positionedinside the through-channel 140 and rest upon the straps 170 and 172 ator near the crossover location 192. The straps 170 and 172 press the gelinsert 174 against the internal intermediate panel 126. The internalintermediate panel 126 translates this pressure to the selectedanatomical region 190.

By way of a non-limiting example, the gel insert 174 may be used by awoman with a vaginal wall prolapse (cystocele or rectocele) or with bothvaginal walls prolapsing (vaginal vault prolapse). The gel insert 174may be positioned adjacent the vagina 40 (see FIG. 1) of such a woman toapply pressure to the vaginal introitus and the distal vagina. Thispressure may help treat the vaginal wall prolapse(s).

By way of another non-limiting example, the gel insert 174 maycomfortably prevent the vaginal walls from prolapsing out of the bodywhile the woman 102 (see FIG. 2) engages in high or low impact exercise.Similarly, the gel insert 174 may be positioned within thethrough-channel 140 alongside the anus 42 (see FIG. 1) to apply supportto that structure during high or low impact exercise or lifting.Non-limiting examples of high and/or low impact exercise may includeValsalva interval training such as kettle bell lifting, free weightlifting, running, rebounding, and the like.

The gel insert 174 may be implemented as a soft malleable insertconstructed from a flexible gel, cushioning substance, or shockabsorbing substance. The gel insert 174 may be constructed frommaterials having different densities, such as a soft gel, a firm gel,combinations thereof, and the like. By way of a non-limiting example,the gel insert 174 may be constructed from a soft malleable siliconegel.

Referring to FIG. 3, the inner support structure 114 (with or withoutthe optional gel insert 174) may be configured to be comfortable andimprove function by supporting the pelvic floor hammock 10 (see FIG. 1)of the woman 102 (see FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 1, the inner supportstructure 114 (see FIGS. 2-4) is configured to support the pelvic floorhammock 10 even when the woman 102 (see FIG. 2) is walking or activelyengaging in activities (e.g., exercise) that stress the pelvic floorhammock 10, including its muscles and connective tissue as well as skincovering the pelvic floor hammock 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, the inner support structure 114 (with or withoutthe optional gel insert 174) may be configured to support to the centerof the pelvic floor hammock 10 (see FIG. 1) or the perineal body 30 (seeFIG. 1). Referring to FIG. 1, the perineal body 30 extends anteriorly(or forwardly) to support the urogenital diaphragm 32, which holds inthe sidewalls of the vagina 40. The perineal body 30 also extendsposteriorly (or rearwardly) to support the perianal muscle groups 34(that insert into the ischial tuberosities) and helps hold in thesidewalls of the anus 42 and rectum (not shown). Thus, by supporting theperineal body 30, the inner support structure 114 (see FIGS. 2-4) helpssupport the urogenital diaphragm 32, the sidewalls of the vagina 40, theperianal muscle groups 34, and the sidewalls of the anus 42 and rectum.

Referring to FIG. 3, the inner support structure 114 (with or withoutthe optional gel insert 174) may be configured to apply external supportthat helps prevent the center of the pelvic floor hammock 10 (seeFIG. 1) or the perineal body 30 (see FIG. 1) from bottoming out orsagging. Referring to FIG. 1, this may help the woman 102 (see FIG. 2)feel more confident and helps prevent her from feeling like her vagina40 (see FIG. 1) and/or anus 42 (see FIG. 1) might bulge or extendoutwardly when she is performing high and low impact exercises.

Referring to FIG. 3, the straps 170 and 172 may be sold as a kit for usewith the fabric layer 110 and/or the waistband 112. Optionally, the kitmay include the optional gel insert 174, the fasteners 160, and/or thefastener(s) 180.

The foregoing described embodiments depict different componentscontained within, or connected with, different other components. It isto be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary,and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented whichachieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangementof components to achieve the same functionality is effectively“associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, anytwo components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality canbe seen as “associated with” each other such that the desiredfunctionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedialcomponents. Likewise, any two components so associated can also beviewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to eachother to achieve the desired functionality.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that,based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from this invention and its broader aspects and,therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope allsuch changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scopeof this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that theinvention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will beunderstood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein,and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appendedclaims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations).

Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appendedclaims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A garment comprising: a waistband having afront portion opposite a back portion; a first strap extending from thefront portion to the back portion; and a second strap extending from thefront portion to the back portion, the first strap being configured tocross the second strap at a crossover location alongside a selectedanatomical region, the first and second straps being configured to applypressure to the selected anatomical region.
 2. The garment of claim 1,further comprising: a malleable insert configured to be positioned ontop of the first and second straps at the crossover location, the firstand second straps being configured to push the malleable insert againstthe selected anatomical region and thereby apply pressure to theselected anatomical region.
 3. The garment of claim 2, wherein theselected anatomical region is a vagina or an anus.
 4. The garment ofclaim 2, wherein the malleable insert is constructed from silicone gel.5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the selected anatomical region is aportion of a pelvic floor hammock.
 6. The garment of claim 1, furthercomprising: a fabric layer, the waistband being attached to an inside ofthe fabric layer.
 7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the fabric layercomprises a through-channel configured to be positioned between legs ofa wearer of the garment, and the crossover location is positioned insidethe through-channel.
 8. The garment of claim 7, further comprising: agel insert configured to be positioned inside the through-channel and ontop of the first and second straps at the crossover location, the firstand second straps being configured to push the gel insert against theselected anatomical region and thereby apply pressure to the selectedanatomical region.
 9. The garment of claim 6, wherein the fabric layeris a pair of woman's underwear.
 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein thefirst and second straps are each constructed from an elastic material.11. The garment of claim 1, wherein a length of at least one of thefirst and second straps is configured to be adjustable to position thecrossover location alongside the selected anatomical region.
 12. A kitfor use with a garment comprising a waistband, the kit comprising: afirst strap configured to extend from a front portion of the waistbandto a back portion of the waistband; and a second strap configured toextend from the front portion to the back portion, the first strap beingconfigured to cross the second strap at a crossover location betweenlegs of a wearer of the garment, the crossover location being alongsidea selected anatomical region of the wearer, the first and second strapsbeing configured to apply pressure to the selected anatomical region.13. The kit of claim 12, further comprising: a malleable insertconfigured to be positioned on the first and second straps at thecrossover location, the first and second straps being configured to pushthe malleable insert against the selected anatomical region and therebyapply pressure to the selected anatomical region.
 14. The kit of claim13, wherein the selected anatomical region is a vagina or an anus. 15.The kit of claim 13, wherein the malleable insert is constructed fromsilicone gel.
 16. The kit of claim 12 for use with the garmentcomprising a through-channel configured to be positioned between thelegs of the wearer, wherein the crossover location is inside thethrough-channel.
 17. The kit of claim 16, further comprising: a gelinsert configured to be positioned inside the through-channel and on topof the first and second straps at the crossover location, the first andsecond straps being configured to push the gel insert against theselected anatomical region and thereby apply pressure to the selectedanatomical region.
 18. The kit of claim 12, wherein the selectedanatomical region is a portion of a pelvic floor hammock.
 19. The kit ofclaim 12, further comprising: at least one first fastener configured toattach the first strap to the front portion of the waistband, and atleast one second fastener configured to attach the second strap to thefront portion of the waistband.
 20. The kit of claim 19, furthercomprising: at least one third fastener configured to attach the firststrap to the back portion of the waistband, and at least one fourthfastener configured to attach the second strap to the back portion ofthe waistband.